Dean Prior

from

Some Old Devon Churches

By J. Stabb

London: Simpkin et al (1908-16)

Page 80

Transcribed and edited by Dr Roger Peters

Full text available at

https://www.wissensdrang.com/dstabb.htm

Prepared by Michael Steer

Between 1908 and 1916, John Stabb, an ecclesiologist and photographer who lived in Torquay, published three volumes of Some Old Devon Churches and one of Devon Church Antiquities. A projected second volume of the latter, regarded by Stabb himself as a complement to the former, did not materialize because of his untimely death on August 2nd 1917, aged 52. Collectively, Stabb's four volumes present descriptions of 261 Devon churches and their antiquities.

DEAN PRIOR. St. George. The church [plate 80a] consists of chancel, nave, north and south aisles, divided from nave by five arches, resting on octagonal pillars with plain capitals, and west tower. The church will always be noted for its connection with the poet Herrick [1591-1674], who was vicar of the parish from 1629 to 1674; he was ejected by the Puritans, but was reinstated at the Restoration [1660]. In the church is a handsome brass erected to his memory in 1857 by a relative, William Percy Herrick, of Beav Manor Park, Leicestershire.

There is a good circular font of red sandstone [plate 80b], the bowl has two bands of carving and rests on a short shaft; it is of Late Norman date, and probably belonged to the original church, which is supposed to have been built and endowed by the Fitz-Stephen family about the middle of the 12th century.

There are no remains of the rood screen, which was removed prior to 1866. On the wall of the south aisle is the monument of Sir Edward Giles. The following description is given by Prince:-

"Departing this mortal life in the year of our Lord God 1637, he was interred December 28th in the south aisle belonging to that parish church, where on the wall over the chancel door is erected to his memory and that of his lady's, who was there buried also January 26th, 1642, a very fair monument, viz: the statue of the defunct cut in stone, cloathed in armour richly gilded, kneeling on a cushion of the same before a marble desk, with his hands erect in devout posture. On the other side of the desk is the figure of his lady cut in stone, in mourning habit, upon her knees also, with her hands lifted up. On either side are two pillars of polished marble, with gilded capitals; and over all his coat of arms, with crest and mantling cut in stone. Beneath in two fair tables of black marble was this inscription in letters of gold, now almost washed out by the spunge of time; which I shall here insert to preserve it from utter oblivion":-

"No trust to metals nor to marbles when
These have their fate, and wear away as men;
Times, titles, trophies, may be lost and spent;
But vertue rears the eternal monument
What more than these can tombs or tomb stones pay?
But here's the sunset of a tedious day;
These two asleep are, I, but be undrest
And so to bed; pray wish us all good rest."

The epitaph was written by Herrick, and is still readable. Prince omits to mention a third figure on the monument, that of a small male figure, with long hair, who is kneeling, with his hands in the attitude of prayer.

The registers date: baptisms, 1557; marriages, 1561; burials, 1561.